Must-See Places & Landscapes
From the Mountain to the Sea
It is worth knowing about Kythira
The Castles
Kythira resembles neighboring Peloponnese in that they both have several historical castles – such as Paliochora (former capital of Kythira that was raided by the Turkish pirate Hairedin Barbarossa), Mylopotamos or Kato Chora (a Venetian castle full of buildings of the 16th century) and of course, the Castle of Kythira or Fortetsa in Chora (a Venetian fortress of the 13th century, rebuilt in the 16th century and one of the most beautiful sights with awesome views). One of the most remarkable points of the Castle is the exhibition of its coats of arms. Through explanatory texts, Myloff presents the course of the island in time and the mighty families that arrived from Crete in the Middle Ages. Through the coats of arms themselves, the visitor understands how much imagination the representatives of the government used in the past to create their emblem. The coat of arms of the Kasimati family depicts an upright lion coming out of a shrine holding a cross, while the coat of arms of the Mormori family depicts the fish from which its name comes, a murmur!
Local products of the Island
There are many shops on the island that sell souvenirs, from magnets, mugs and jewelry to painted stones and bouquets of sempreviva (a yellow flower that is collected from the island of Chytra and is considered the trademark of Tsirigos). Three remarkable shops of Kythira are A Little of Everything, located in Chora square where you’ll find carrot jam, rosettes (the “sweet of the wedding”) and packaged sea salt, the Bakery of Karavas, in the homonymous village, famous for its rusks, and Elichrysos, which is housed in a renovated olive mill in Mylopotamos and sells organic oil, local wines, liqueur, honey, medicinal herbs and many different lotions (warming, for scars, etc.).
Watermills in the village of Mylopotamos
The area of Myloi with its unique beauty defines the island as a jewel that other islands would envy! The watermills are not just an environment of great natural beauty, but an example of how human activity has creatively complemented the landscape in an exceptional way for us today. The stone arched bridges juxtapose the slopes of the gorge, leaving behind a rich cultural heritage with their presence. Today, the area is once again being revived thanks to the exquisiteness of the island, making it a must-see attraction for visitors. Please note that due to the extraordinary natural beauty of the area, overnight stays, camping and bonfires are prohibited. Please respect nature!
Unforgettable Beaches
Fine pebbles, sandy beaches, turquoise waters, narrow coves, picturesque sea caves, the beaches of Kythira are award-winning and enhance the authenticity and the unique nature of Kythira.
Diakofti: The sandy beach of Kythira with shallow turquoise waters and white sand. Ideal for families. The beach has an area with sunbeds and umbrellas available for rent. There is also an area you may enjoy without these amenities free of charge.
Kaladi: It is worth the trouble to go down the stone path of 124 steps to the blue waters hidden in imposing rocks, sea cave paths worth exploring, and three unique beaches.
Melidoni: Picturesque creek in the southwest part of the island. It has fine sand and turquoise waters. Accessible by a dirt road that runs for several kilometers and begins shortly after the village of Drymonas. The beach features a canteen, umbrellas and sunbeds available for rent.
Cooper Beach: Located on the southern part of the island with pebbles and deep turquoise waters. The beach is organized with a canteen, umbrellas and sunbeds.
Fyri Ammos Kalamou: Beach with relatively difficult access, but worth every drop of sweat. Organized with a canteen, umbrellas and sunbeds.
